The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is set to literally throw open a window to the state’s mental health resources with a live fireside chat and tele-town hall scheduled for tomorrow, from 6 to 7 p.m. The event aims to openly discuss mental health and connect individuals facing mental health challenges with the necessary support and resources. A recent report highlighted that nearly 1 in 4 adults in North Carolina have reported symptoms consistent with anxiety or depression. In response, the fireside chat focuses on pathways to bolster mental well-being and what to do during a mental health crisis.
Slated to participate in the talk are several key figures in the mental health field: Lisa DeCiantis, MA, LCMHC, Sandy Feutz, LCSW, and Holly Provance Doggett, MS, as announced on the NCDHHS website. These speakers will to some extent demystify mental health support available to North Carolinians and will discuss where to find mental health information, how to access crisis services, and when it's time to seek help for oneself or a loved one.
The fireside chat is set to be live-streamed via the NCDHHS's official Facebook and YouTube accounts, allowing viewers a chance to engage with panelists by submitting questions directly. Additionally, a tele-town hall format will enable people to listen in and pose questions over the phone by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. 120794#. The inclusion of diverse participation formats aims to increase accessibility and encourage a broader dialogue on a topic that touches many lives.
Supporting its communication efforts, NCDHHS has also launched a dedicated Crisis Services page, available in English and Spanish. The page seeks to not only explain but to swiftly connect individuals with services. It features a searchable map to locate community crisis centers and includes a zip code-based search for mobile crisis teams. Immediate support is accessible by calling, texting, or chatting with 988, available 24/7. Those in need can also use the Peer Warmline at 855-PEERS-NC to talk with someone with lived experience or request mobile crisis teams to meet them at a safe location, often at a low or no cost. There's also the option to visit a community crisis center for in-person help from licensed clinicians.
